World Famous Comics: Pamela Helen Stephen Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) / Jean-Louis Thamin · John Eliot Gardiner · Bryn Terfel · Rodney Gilfry · Théâtre du Chatelet
Pamela Helen Stephen Mozart - Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) / Jean-Louis Thamin · John Eliot Gardiner · Bryn Terfel · Rodney Gilfry · Théâtre du Chatelet
Dazzling This performance sparkles. Musically, it is fabulous--I have the CD version as well and this is what prompted me to get the DVD. None of Mozart's poignancy and empathy is lost, and all of his vivacity is brought out. Others have emphasized the fun as in `funny' or `comedic', and it is certainly there. I add that there is also a great deal of fun as in `pleasurable'. There is a flirtatious zing to the whole performance, perhaps more so than to many other Figaros.
The staging is all fine and good until Act III, when it becomes nothing less than stunning. That Act alone makes the DVD well worth getting! It accentuates the subversive bite of the opera brilliantly. Figaro is a piece of social satire, every bit as relevant today as it was over two hundred years ago. It is among other things a story of love and sensuality set against ossified social structures. When the stage changes before the Count's big aria(`Vedro mentr'io sospiro') and the magnificent buffoon--all decked out in the regalia of power--rages in his gilded cage, it is truly jaw-dropping. The contrast is made all the more delicious by having an actor as magnificent-looking as Gilfry play the Count! The various subversive jibes at the Count are delivered with obvious glee and the commonfolk keep grinning throughout the action. I too found myself giddy with delight watching the Count fold under the collective pressure of his servants. The dominant classes of the 18th century must have been dumbfounded, sensing the loss of their authority and not comprehending how it happens; having to furthermore sit there in total rapture and feel the rug being gently pulled out from underneath them. Doing justice to Mozart's satirical subtext never ever overshadows the warmth and beauty of the music. In `Dove Sono', the Countess' glittering costume, impeccable wig, and doll-like make-up bring out her desolation and vulnerability even more. It is a deeply moving sight.
To those who want to see a gorgeously staged and performed Figaro, this DVD offers plenty. And then some. I did not find the sets minimalist; I found them just right, neither stuffily traditional nor wackily modernist.
And now, where is the Zürich/Harnoncourt production from 1996 in region-free format? What ad-wizard came up with the silly idea of limiting that one to the European market?
cozy and amorous Mozartian good humour well portrayed The cast here in this first rate production all seem to be fully commited to the tale itself staying very naturally in character throughout. The camera work is particularily astute always following through to the most fulfilling perspective of this charming consistently dynamic hearfelt performance. If this is to be one's first experience with the art form you're getting the right idea. Now imagine if we could all communicate that way,hmm...
Some vocal brilliance, but otherwise not the best. The stars are given mainly for Bryn's singing. I fully understand the clamour on Bryn Terfel. His vocal abilities are never doubted. His acting ability is also solid. HOWEVER, he is not a convincing Figaro. Bryn is primarily hampered by his stage presence - not lack of it, but perhaps too much of it. Figaro in Le Nozze is not a towering figure, but a self-willed, witty, shifty and worldly-wise enough lover of Susanna. Hermann Prey, if ever, portrayed a near-perfect Figaro with his good looks and witty charm. Terfel may make a tremendous Wotan or Dutchman, but not Don Giovannis or Figaros. Sorry to say this, since am I fan of Terfel, but that's the reality. Alison Hagley's Susanna falls in the same plight iwth regard to looks, though vocally she is even less convincing than Terfel: her middle and lower registers simply disappeared in this performance. Martinpelto is average but secure. Gilfry is not at his best. The Cherubino is disastrous in looks, let alone vocally. Hard to imagine Figaro would sing a 'Non piu andrai' to such a character as portrayed in this production.
Marriage of Figaro DVD, Gardiner I would give this DVD 9 stars if I could.
Strange "Figaro" I bought this DVD mainly for Gilfry. I have him on DVD in a few other operas, including Le Nozze di Figaro from the Zurich opera with him playing the count, which is my favorite "Figaro." But it is only available on region 2 DVD for some reason, so I started looking for another great "Figaro" on Region 1. I'll have to admit that this production from the Thearre du Chatelet isn't it. I was actually very disappointed. The singing is very good, though I think Gilfry did an even better job on the Zurich one. Hagley plays a most wonderful Susanna, and Terfel is by far the BEST figaro I have ever seen.
The thing that really turned me off about this production is the staging and costuming. I know the Zurich opera can be somewhat strange with their staging, but this production of "Figaro" was a little scary. The staging was VERY odd to me, and the makeup waaayyy overdone. I had a hard time getting into it because of this.
Another gripe, though a small one, was some of the songs that were deleted from the opera altogether, like Basilio's aria "In quegli anni" and Marcellina's aria "Il capro e la capretta." I was disappointed about that, especially because I think Marcellina's aria is a wonderful one. This is not the first time I have seen these two songs deleted from the opera though.
So I give this 3 stars because the singing was great, everything else about it wasn't.
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